Essays and Articles

As a Freelance Writer, I mainly write about parenting and family life. My work has appeared in two Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies: Parenthood and The Dog Did What? I am also honored to have had my writing featured in the Christian Science Monitor, both the print magazine and the associated blog "Modern Parenthood," as well as Brain, Child Magazine's blog "Brain, Mother." My articles and essays have also been featured in over sixty regional parenting magazines across the US and Canada.

Below is a list of articles and essays which are available for purchase as reprints. Please e-mail me if you are interested in purchasing one for your publication. For articles that do not have links, simply email me and I will send a document to you. If you are looking for specific material for a season or holiday, those pieces are categorized here as well under "my writing."

I am also proud to be a frequent contributor to the award-winning Seattle magazine, ParentMap. Although these articles are not all available for purchase or reprinting, you can check out the material I've written for ParentMap, and other published work on my Facebook feed on the first page of this website.

I am always happy to consider article assignments as well as rewriting articles to fit your local market. Feel free to contact me for your specific needs.

Humor

Potty Talk (500 words)As all parents know, getting through your child’s toilet training requires potty talk—from both the parent and the child. Kids are fascinated by their output and love to discuss it—often to our embarrassment when they bring this up in public.http://cityparent.com/posts/1147-potty-talk

Parenting Karma (500 words)Here I make the case for my personal theory of Parenting Karma: that what goes around in the world of parenting, comes around. This philosophy is especially useful to remember when your neighbors’ and friends’ children seem to be perfect while your kids, well, aren’t quite so flawless.http://northstateparent.com/2011/10/parenting-karma/

The First Thanksgiving (800 words)I contend that the moment in which you become a true adult is not when you move out of your parents' house or when you have a child of your own—but it is the first time you are responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. From facing that plucked-naked bird to dealing with disgusting poultry innards, my first Thanksgiving dinner didn’t go exactly as planned.http://www.sacramentoparent.com/magazines/sacramento-parent/2013/november/1341-the-first-thanksgivingCarpool Confessionals(700 words)I'm in the driving stage of motherhood. With two girls and a boy, I drive so much that the seat of my mini van has molded perfectly to fit the shape of my ever-expanding behind. Although I occasionally resent my unpaid chauffer duties, driving a gaggle of kids around presents marvelous eavesdropping opportunities. http://www.carolinaparent.com/articleprint.php?-4163

Essays

Picture of Parenting (800 words)While taking a painting class with a group of other moms, I was surprized at how self-critical most of the women were about their creations. When the conversation turned to parenting, as it usually does, it hit me that, just like our paintings in class, no one is as hard on us as parents, or as artisits as we are on ourselves. A Picture of Parenting is a reflection on how just like in painting, taking a step back can help us to see the bigger picture in our lives as parents. (This essay is available in select markets, email me with questions.)https://www.parentmap.com/article/a-picture-of-parenting

Leaving the Family Bed Behind (800 words)As difficult as the "baby stage" is for parents, both physically and mentally, transitioning out of that stage of life can be an emotional event. In this essay, I reflect on the time when I realized we had left the baby stage of our children's lives behind and were entering a new phase in both our parenting and our marriage.

Middle School Love: How a Group of Middle Schoolers Turned Cyberbullying On Its Head (600 words)This isn't your typical sad story about bullying. When an Instagram Account was created and used to bully students, a group of kids took matters into their own hands to spread love instead of hate. (This essay is available in select markets, email me with questions.)https://www.parentmap.com/article/how-a-few-students-turned-cyberbullying-on-its-head

Holidays Alone (700 words)Because we live far away from our extended family, we have had to learn how to enjoy our holidays “alone.” After several years of trying-and failing- to recreate the happy, crowded chaos of my childhood holidays, I realized that we would need to make our own holiday memories. By making our own family traditions and rituals, we discovered that while ours may not be traditional, Holidays Alone can be wonderful, too. http://www.seattleschild.com/article/slice-of-life-holidays-alone

A Good BabyWhen my children were infants, I hated to hear people ask if they were “good” babies. After all, if babies aren’t “good” then are they “bad”? After having a child who did not display many “good baby” characteristics, I’ve come to the conclusion that all babies are good babies—some are just more challenging than others.(Not available for reprinting.)http://www.llli.org/nb/nbmarapr08p11.html

The Meet (1200 words) First appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: ParenthoodI’ve heard parenting experts say that children want time with Mom and Dad above all else. That no amount of gifts or other material things can take the place of time spent together. When my daughter Lucy fell short in a critical gymnastics competition, I learned just how true that statement is.http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/lifestyle/195181061.htmlDestiny Dog (1200 words)First appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Did What?With three kids and a busy writing career, the last thing I needed was something else to take care of. But my kids wanted a dog. So, I crafted an impossible list of conditions that must be met for me to agree to adopting a dog. I thought for sure my crazy conditions would never be met... but the universe had other plans.http://www.chickensoup.com/newsletter/186537/destiny-dog

9:02AM (4,500 words)​This essay was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association Literary Contest in 2015.This 4,500-word narrative, 9:02AM, is the story of my experience as a volunteer for the Red Cross Compassion Center in the aftermath of the bombing of the Alfred P Murrah building in Oklahoma City in 1995.. During the time surrounding the tragedy, I was also planning my wedding. In this piece, I contrast the wedding preparations with the gravity of what my fiancé and I were experiencing in our work surrounding the disaster. My husband was an Air Force Office of Special Investigations Officer at that time, and was tasked with assisting the FBI in the investigation at Ground Zero. So, while he sifted through evidence at the blast zone, I was attempting to comfort the bereaved.http://thislandpress.com/2015/04/19/902-am/​

Articles

Seven Indoor Winter Crafts (950 words)When the weather outside is frightful, here are seven great crafts and activities to keep kids busy and learning even when they can't go outside. From pretend snow to growing crystals kids and their parents will enjoy these fun projects.The Art of the Thank You Note (500 words)The art of the handwritten thank you note seems to be quickly fading into the past. But writing thank you notes is a useful exercise for children. It helps instill the message that receiving a gift is not a right, but a privilege. Creating a written message also forces kids to sit down and think about the person who gave the gift. Writing longhand also improves small-motor skills in younger kids, as well as sparking creative thinking in all ages. http://cityparent.com/posts/1338-the-art-of-the-thank-you-noteEight Useful Gifts for New ParentsHeaded to a baby shower in the next few months? Then you will probably be ogling those cute onesies, soft toys, and blankets in the baby section while shopping for the perfect gift. But how about getting the parents-to-be a truly useful present? Here are some items experienced parents know will be greatly appreciated.http://cityparent.com/posts/1737-useful-gifts-for-new-parentsIndoor Plant Science (600 words)Springtime is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about how plants grow. Even if the ground outside is still frozen, you can grow seeds and bulbs inside. Try one of these seven experiments to sneak a little learning and some sunshine into your day! http://bradymediainc.com/gardening-science-with-kids/

How to Make Your Food-Allergic Kid a Happy Camper (800 words)Attending summer day camp is often a rite of passage for kids. But when you have a child with life-threatening food allergies, camp is more complicated than filling out forms and dropping your kid off each morning. But, with planning, cooperation and communication, day camp can be a great experience for food-allergic children. In this article, I list the things for parents of food-allergic kids to consider when choosing a camp. I used my own experience in sending my child with life-threatening food allergies to camp, interspersed with advice from a camp director and information from the Food Allergy Action Network.http://vip2.advantageinc.com/fbs/sandiego_family/may2013/#p=39

Eight Great Outdoor Games (900 words)Take a walk down memory lane by playing these old-fashioned games at your next gathering. From potato sack races to chariot races, these games are not only fun, but they also get your guests up and moving. As you watch kids hop, stomp, race and jump you'll see why these games have stood the test of time.http://www.parentssource.com/JunJul13web.pdf#page=6

Raising Creative Children (750 words)In our increasingly structured and media-saturated society, kids often don’t have the time or space to be creative. Many of us think of creativity as only pertaining to the arts. But, according to James D Moran III in his article “Creativity in Young Children,” creativity is also defined as a form of problem solving, requiring flexibility of thought. Creative thinking can help in every area of life from education to personal relationships. Even if you as a parent feel lost on the subjects of art or theatre, you can still encourage your kids to explore their creative side. This article gives ideas any parent could use to foster the creative spark that all children have.http://www.portlandfamily.com/posts/raising-creative-kids/

Summer Reading Prevents Summer Slide (600 words)Summer reading programs are offered by over 95% of public libraries nationwide. Research has shown that children who don’t read or engage in educational activities over summer vacation experience summer learning losses. These losses, also called summer slide, are most profound in the area of reading. This 600-word article “Summer Reading Prevents Summer Slide” details why summer slide happens and how to prevent it. I’ve also included a sidebar with tips on how parents can help their kids read more over summer break. http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1woqw/WestVirginiaFamilyMa/resources/34.htm

Save Money by Shopping for School in Summer (450 words)In the carefree, lazy days of summer, school is usually the last thing on our minds. But before you know it, that first day of school comes around—and it seems to cost more each year. Shopping for fall during the summer months is a great way to stretch your budget. From shopping the school supply sales in July to adding to the fall clothing throughout the summer season, you can save a bundle of money, and stress!http://www.tcparenting.com/0712_July/index.html?pageNumber=46

Save Money (and your sanity) By Shopping Year-Round (750 words)Tired of the yearly holiday shopping stress? Terrified of opening your credit card bill in January? Between paying inflated prices, driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and fighting crowds to dig through picked-over merchandise, last minute shopping can be a painful experience. But there is a solution: shop all year!

Plan a Rockin’ Summer Staycation (650 words)With the climbing prices of gas and entertainment, a lot of families are opting to stay home for vacation this summer. Staycations are a popular way to encourage family togetherness without the stress and expense of travel. Here are a few surefire tips to plan a staycation that rocks.

Make a Schultuete for the First Day of School (craft)Welcome your children to the new school year by presenting them with a schultuete (pronounced shool-too-tuh) on their first day of school. A 200-year-old German tradition, a schultuete is a cone-shaped package filled with treats and school supplies. It is usually given to German students at the beginning of first grade, but this wonderful tradition can be adapted to any age. While both empty and pre-filled schultuete line the store aisles in Germany at the end of summer, they aren’t as available here. Luckily, making a schultuete at home is easy! This article contains step by step instructions in creating a schultuete and pictures.https://www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/crafts-for-kids/1450-first-day-of-school-craft

Plant a Fairy Garden (700 words)Fairy gardens are all the rage lately. Blogs, Pinterest, and magazines abound with ideas for these miniature living spaces meant to attract fairies. Planting a tiny garden can be a magical experience for kids of all ages (and their parents)! Although an internet search will reveal some very elaborate garden ideas, here is a tutorial for your own simple project. Of course, you can add as much detail as you like. Besides, who knows what decorating ideas the fairies will have?http://www.piedmontparent.com/articlemain.php?Plant-a-Fairy-Garden-1700

Four Ways to Celebrate May Day (1000 words)May Day is an often forgotten holiday, but it’s a wonderful tradition to celebrate with your children. The origins of this holiday go back to pre-Christian times. The first of May is a great time to celebrate the coming of summer, new beginnings, and the beauty of nature. This article lists four activities for celebrating May Day as a family.

How to Throw a Birthday Party without Breaking the Bank (1,000 words)Birthday parties for children have become increasingly elaborate and expensive. Between renting space at the latest birthday hotspot, and providing lunch or dinner, plus cake and ice cream—and don’t forget those pricey party favors—it’s out of control! If the thought of your daughter or son’s upcoming bash is making you hyperventilate—or worse—making you consider taking out a loan—the tips in this article will come to your rescue!

Halloween Treats To Keep Not Eat (200 words)With childhood obesity and food allergies on the rise, many families are trying to find nonedible items to hand out on Halloween night. Unfortunately, candy is often the cheapest option. But by shopping around, and buying in bulk you can find fun, inexpensive treats without the sugar rush. _

Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day (600 words)Is Valentine’s Day an invention of greeting card companies or the feast day of a real saint? The true origins of Valentine’s Day are murky at best. Among scholars, theories abound as to what, or who, started this ancient holiday. This article explores the most common theories about how this iconic holiday came about.

Save Money and the Environment with Homemade Green Cleaners (850 words)Household cleaning products can be expensive, and many aren’t friendly to the environment. Commercial cleansers, especially those used in the kitchen or bathroom, can also produce irritating fumes. Most household cleaning and disinfecting can be accomplished using two main ingredients: baking soda and white vinegar. Add liquid dish soap and you have a full arsenal. This article shows readers how to clean just about anything with these three ingredients. http://cityparent.com/posts/1495-homemade-green-cleaners

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